The Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) in Toledo City was selected Best National Greening Program (NGP) Implementor for operating mines and quarries in Central Visayas by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7.

This came after CCC planted the most number of seedlings totaling 207,374 covering 132.39 hectares or 45.94 percent of the 288.16-hectare target in 2011 of the entire region’s reforestation project.

MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo said the active support and cooperation of our existing large or medium-scale mines and quarries in the region to promote the “green” agenda of P-Noy and DENR Secretary Paje is certainly important as they have the necessary resources to pursue nursery production and seedlings plantation.

In 2010, the CCC was awarded Grand Winner for the Best Mining Forest Program under metallic category by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).  Also in 2011, it became a first runner up under the same category.

Alburo further added that CCC reforested a total of 1,050.714 hectares since 2001 within its mining contract area in Toledo City and vicinities.

In a related development, DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo stressed NGP also addresses the problem of soil erosion, secure a sustainable supply of water, and provide additional livelihood for farmers through agroforestry.

Montejo added food security is one of the pressing issues facing the Philippines being widely regarded as highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.

The award was given last June 29 in a culmination of the environment month celebration held at El Dorado Gym, Banilad, Mandaue City.

It may be recalled that on February 24, 2011, President Aquino issued Executive Order (EO) 26 declaring the implementation of the NGP as a government priority program to reduce poverty, promote food security, environmental stability and biodiversity conservation, and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation.